France midfielder Rayan Cherki says his team was its own biggest obstacle at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the players had the quality to defeat any opponent but were undone by their own shortcomings.
According to a post by football outlet The Touchline on X on July 14, Cherki reflected on France’s World Cup campaign following the team’s elimination.
The midfielder suggested that France entered every match with confidence and believed no opponent was superior, but acknowledged that the team’s own mistakes ultimately prevented it from achieving its objective.
“Every team was afraid of us. The only team that beat us was ourselves,” Cherki said.
France entered the tournament as one of the favourites, boasting a squad filled with world-class talent, but fell short of winning the title.
Cherki’s comments highlight the belief within the French camp that the team had the ability to become world champions, while also acknowledging that consistency, discipline and execution proved decisive at the highest level of international football.
